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Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

:Headline: Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: ID:41376: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews the Spanish Super Cup first leg between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.

The first El Clasico of the new season pits Barcelona against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the Nou Camp.

The Catalans began their La Liga campaign with a morale-boosting 5-1 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend, which also saw the return of Spain's all-time leading goalscorer David Villa.

It wasn't the greatest of starts for the defending champions Madrid, however, as they were held 1-1 at the Bernabeu by a stern Valencia outfit.

It was Barcelona who secured a 5-4 aggregate win in the same competition last year, but after Madrid's title success last season they will enter the match full of confidence.

Barcelona have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Madrid, however, and will be considered as favourites to secure a first-leg lead.

Barcelona will be without Thiago for the encounter, while Isaac Cuenca and Eric Abidal remain long-term absentees.

It is also unlikely that Villa will start having returned from a long injury lay-off last time around. However, new signing Alex Song is expected to be handed a start in midfield.

Real Madrid have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, although they will be without Portuguese defender Pepe who sustained a head injury at the weekend.

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Song; Iniesta, Messi, Sanchez

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Diarra, Khedira; Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid24156352232951
2Atletico MadridAtletico24148239162350
3Barcelona23153564253948
4Athletic Bilbao23128336201644
5Villarreal24118547351241
6Rayo Vallecano239862724335
7Osasuna2471162933-432
8Real Sociedad2394102020031
9GironaGirona2494113235-331
10Mallorca2394102029-931
11Getafe247982018230
12Celta Vigo2485113538-329
13Real BetisBetis237882731-429
14Sevilla237792534-928
15Leganes2459102235-1324
16Las PalmasLas Palmas2365122838-1023
17Valencia2458112538-1323
18Espanyol2365122235-1323
19AlavesAlaves2457122838-1022
20Real ValladolidValladolid2343161548-3315
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